Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Ankle weights

Does anybody know if using ankle weights - at work in the office - helps burn calories; Or, in anyway helps lose weight with cycling?

Exercise in general, unless it's an awful lot of it, won't help you lose weight. It will improve CV health tremendously. If you're not in the nest of shape, start slowly and work your way up.

Are you looking to train for cycling? If so, the best training for bike riding is to ride. And don't forget to stretch. If you're looking for additional exercise, I'd go for something upper-body, since riding is a lower-body activity. Pushup, situps, pullups, etc. work for me.

Thanks neil.

I was looking at it as something I could do while working in an office all day.

Never under-estimate the psychological aspect. If wearing some ankle weights make you more conscious of getting up and moving around a little more at work, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, going for a walk at lunch, whatever is applicable to your situation, it can be worth it just for that aspect, in my mind.

Being more active always helps you.

Thanks neil.

I was looking at it as something I could do while working in an office all day.

Oh, okay, now this makes mores sense.

Another possibility if your workspace allows it is to work while standing:

http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/07/14/0015212
http://www.squidoo.com/walkingwhileworking
While I'm not interested in the treadmill bit, I'd love to have a section of desk in my office I could stand and work at.

Which reminds me, Neils on Wheels II is in two hours, folks. Don't miss out!

Subtle plug... ;)

Does anybody know if using ankle weights - at work in the office - helps burn calories; Or, in anyway helps lose weight with cycling?

Ankle weights are bound to help you reduce, as any exercise should. Personally I always put on 2# weights (or more) before I ride, but mostly to improve my srength and endurance. Also to get my Heart rate to "90% max" on hills, and to get a fine workout in HALF the time--1 1/2 hrs instead of 3. An added bonus is that after years of doing this, I am convinced that I ride more efficiently, since I stand on the pedals a lot. At the office should work too, as I "forget" the weights for 6 hours after the daily ride, so, the more the better.

Exercise in general, unless it's an awful lot of it, won't help you lose weight. It will improve CV health tremendously. If you're not in the nest of shape, start slowly and work your way up.

I agree that wearing ankle weights around the office isn't going to cause you to lose appreciable weight...but "exercise in general"? Whatever happened to the old "calories in vs. calories out" formula, and how do you suggest people increase "calories out", if not by exercise?

The last time I looked into ankle weights I found several cautions about potential problems, such as knee and ankle strain. Since I only have one pair of knees and ankles, I'm not going to intentionally do something that could cause problems with them.

As an alternative, search google for office exercise. There are lots of suggestions for things you can do to burn some calories during the day.

The last time I looked into ankle weights I found several cautions about potential problems, such as knee and ankle strain. Since I only have one pair of knees and ankles, I'm not going to intentionally do something that could cause problems with them.

As an alternative, search google for office exercise. There are lots of suggestions for things you can do to burn some calories during the day.

I've heard the same thing - that walking with ankle weights is hard on your joints. But if you're going to do leg lifts/extensions under your desk... :)

It seems to me that a lot of folks here work desk jobs. I am a retired Firefighter and for something to do I work overnight freight. Not driving around on a forklift but just plain bull work. Why? I guess because I like the physical activity.

Ankle weights? I don't need 'em. I work my tail off every night. When I finish a shift I'm drenched sweaty, hot; no matter the season and tired. I sleep well.

Sometimes I read this forum and I see a lot of people relying on electronics to 'simplify' their life, computers to 'simplify' their communications and sometimes NightClubs to 'simplify' their social interactivity. I'm ranting, sorry. No offense to anyone.

Just do some physical activity.

Neil, you're right!

Any exercise that makes your heart rate rise is beneficial. I use ankle weights to climb hills, Heart rate NOW goes to 90 % max and returns quickly. I SWEAT MORE, FEEL BETTER AND CUT THE BIKE WORKOUT IN HALF. Good luck, Ankleweightman.

The absolute best way to lose weight as for as exercise is yes getting your heart rate up ESPECIALLY in the morning if you did cardio on an empty stomach your body has calories to burn so it goes to your fat reserves and uses up that energy. Personally i am not a grand morning person so i just try to burn more calories than i consume.

The absolute best way to lose weight as for as exercise is yes getting your heart rate up ESPECIALLY in the morning if you did cardio on an empty stomach your body has calories to burn so it goes to your fat reserves and uses up that energy. Personally i am not a grand morning person so i just try to burn more calories than i consume.


SO TRUE. But if I were to ride on an empty stomach, I would not have much endurance. My body needs fuel in the furnace. Just starting out without my steel-cut-oats would psychologically weaken me.